POPULAR INSTRUMENT PETTING ZOOS REACH COMMUNITY THROUGH ITS LIBRARIES
____________________________________________________________________________________

Portland, Ore. … Instrument Petting Zoos presented by Oregon Symphony musicians are beginning to appear in libraries as part of an effort by Oregon Symphony Education and Community Programs to expand the popular hands-on learning sessions. Belmont Library will host an Instrument Petting Zoo Saturday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m.

Kids will get a chance to hold and play real instruments with the help of orchestra members at the Belmont branch of Multnomah County Library at 1038 S.E. 39th Avenue from 2 to 3 p.m. The four orchestral families (brass, strings, woodwinds, and percussion) will be represented by Oregon Symphony musicians Sally Kuhns (trumpet), Erin Furbee (violin), Cheri Ann Egbers (clarinet) and Chris Perry (various percussion instruments).

Last season the Symphony presented a petting zoo at its first library, Woodstock Library. Word got around about the community visits, said Education and Community Programs Coordinator Tever Nickerson, and Belmont Library requested its own Instrument Petting Zoo. The Symphony plans to regularly include libraries as locations for the petting zoos, Nickerson said.

Oregon Symphony Education and Community Programs provides a variety of programs in libraries, community centers, senior centers and other community locations. During the 2000-2001 season, the Oregon Symphony reached over 89,000 students and adults through its education and community programs. For more information call 503-228-4294 or visit www.orsymphony.org.